If you are a parent of a young child and you are worried about their dental health then you should read this. Did you know that tooth decay is one of the most common ailments among children, 5 times and 7 times more common than asthma and hay fever, respectively? If no then answer this. Do you believe that brushing teeth twice daily and flossing are enough to prevent tooth decay in children? If yes then read on.
Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases affecting children. Most parents are concerned about this and take appropriate measures to prevent it from the time their child develops his first teeth. While most parents generally share the belief that inculcating the habit of brushing teeth twice everyday in their children is enough, experts say that doing this alone is not sufficient.
Preventing tooth decay these days has become more complicated and hard to achieve. The diet these days is full of fast food or what we call junk food comprising of carbonated drinks. They lead to the acidic erosion of the tooth enamel in children over a period of time. And the tooth enamel once gone, cannot be replenished- It is a permanent damage to the teeth. Even the ‘healthy’ foods for that matter are full of acidic content that erodes the tooth enamel. So, how do you save your child’s teeth?
According to an expert, children should avoid brushing teeth right after a meal, contrary to popular belief. This is because the acidic content of the food softens the tooth enamel and brushing at this point would only damage it further. Also, it is advised to protect children’s teeth against acid erosion by having them brush twice in a day using Sensodyne ProNamel for Children, the new pediatric toothpaste that helps restore the softened tooth enamel and protect it against further acid erosion. It is also advised to not use general toothpastes for children because they contain fluoride which is harmful if ingested. Until a certain age when they learn to spit and rinse the paste out, only special children’s toothpastes should be used.
Another good practice to follow is to seek a professional pediatric dentist’s advice from time to time, over that of your family doctor or dentist. Experts also believe that your child should have their first pediatric dentist’s appointment soon after their first birthday.
